"Having visited Mumbai (Bombay), the legacy the British left behind is obvious in the form of the grand, colonial buildings," says 16 year old Kunal Desai. "But there is an effort among Indians to move away from what the British left behind."

"British rule of India cast a long shadow, but you can see its gentle decay with the changing of names like Mumbai (Bombay) and Chennai (Madras), says 17 year old Marcus Fishburn. "India is becoming more Indian."

"I am 100% Pakistani but I speak English as well as Urdu and my auntie teaches Shakespeare," says 17 year old Saif Hameed. "We can't deny the past."

"India is definitely its own country, but everywhere you go there are hints at the old empire," says 16 year old James Macadam.

"British rule was essential to the unity of the nation," says 16 year old Parthiv Patel. "But it could never have lasted, as events leading to independence showed. "In return for economic security, the British gave India an infrastructure."

"I like to think in India I find traces of what some have called the 'love affair' between our two countries, stronger and more durable than the at times violent relationship of rulers and ruled," says Eton history teacher Andrew Robinson.